How many landmarks can you identify?
Thursday, December 09, 2010
A Beautiful Mohawk Valley View
I've enjoyed the view here for many years in every season, and I thought I would share these 2 photos with you of the view from Val Bialas in Utica, NY., because they are photos that encompass much of the character and heritage of the Mohawk Valley. You can see much more this time of the year because the foliage blocks much of the view in the summer months until the foliage drops. The churches, the brewery, schools, psych ctr, farms and homes that can be seen from these 2 photos, are an incredible snapshot of our area.
How many landmarks can you identify?
How many landmarks can you identify?
Monday, December 06, 2010
Whitesboro Middle School Haunted?
Took these photos recently as I have been interested in learning more about some of the more unusual attractions in the Mohawk Valley with the Whitesboro Middle School being one. One story goes that Whitesboro Middle School-
Clock tower is haunted by a decapitated football player. Who can be seen wearing his jersey while holding his head. Anyone has a different version...let me know?
Clock tower is haunted by a decapitated football player. Who can be seen wearing his jersey while holding his head. Anyone has a different version...let me know?
Monday, November 29, 2010
Utica Autumn Beauty
The scenery is certainly one of the finer points of living in the "Valley" heres ome photos I took a few months ago...hope you enjoy!
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Almost Winter...
Well it's almost winter here, and the birds are hungrily attacking the feeders and the grasses and milkweed trying to send off their seedlings to survive and find a place to survive the hard frosts and snow, until spring warms the grounds again...
Saturday, November 06, 2010
Late Autumn in The Mohawk Valley
1st photo looking south on Rt 12 from Deerfield
2nd view -just off Seneca Tpk in New Hartford
Thursday, November 04, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Trenton Falls
Every year for a few weekends they open Trenton Falls to the public...it was a spectacular day for a walk and me and my son took advantage of this rare opportunity to see a wonderful local natural attraction
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Utica In The Fall
autumn, all ablaze with bright colors, contrasted with the somber hues of November...better that we remember it so!"
Pat Huther-October 2010
Tuesday, October 05, 2010
Autumn in the Mohawk Valley
Hopefully the color will improve a little with the cooler-damper weather...anyway it's still spectacular in the Mohawk Valley so get out there and enjoy as the season (leaf watching season) is too short!
Monday, September 13, 2010
The Segovia Connection
Our family is hosting an exchange student from Segovia, Spain. So, last Friday I decided to take the whole visiting group on a "historic" tour of the Mohawk Valley.
We went first to the Oriskany Battlefield site where we met with Allan Foote who gave an outstanding presentation on the battle while fending off hordes of mosquitos.
Next we toured Ft. Stanwix where the group and enjoyed the museum, the fort and it's reenactors. Finally, we went to the Shako-wi Cultural Center on the Oneida Indian Reservation where Kandice Watson gave us a history aand tour of the museum, the reservation and the casino. All of which gave the group from Spain an interesting historical and cultural perspective of the Mohawk Valley. The groups favorite part of the day was the the visit to the Indian nation, disappointed that they could not peek into the casino or the "Lava" nightclub.
Tuesday, August 03, 2010
Ed's Meat Market
I parked my car in front of the bank and walked past the fire department building and then the Alexander Hamilton Inn. As I walk by one of the little boutique stores, a little old lady came out of the shop just ahead, and the bells jangled as she shut the door behind her.
Grandpa was standing behind the counter wearing his white apron and white paper hat, chatting with an elderly lady customer when we opened the door to his butcher shop. The door had bells tingled as we walked in, and then had a loud jangle as the door slammed shut. The pungent aroma of ground meat and spices was in the air. Grandpa was making sausages or hot dogs today, which meant we could be enjoying them when we visited for dinner tonite. Grandpa always brought home whatever was freshly made that day, or whatever did not sell. I hoped that it would be the hot dogs.
Grandpa looked over at us and smiled. Dad walked over to one of the chairs and sat down. I looked in the meat case and looked at the different meats Grandpa had displayed in the case. There were some sausage links and some assorted beef and chicken meat on display. Also there were customer orders wrapped in white paper which had names of customers on them. The elderly lady finished paying Grandpa for the order. Grandpa took the ladies money and placed the money in the old wooden cash register and Grandpa said to the lady; "thank-you and say hello to Jim for me".
Grandpa said; "hello Donnie, hello Pat", and asked us if we would like to walk with him to the bank and then maybe we could go and get some fresh apple cider at the cider mill. Grandpa took his white apron and paper hat off, grabbed his deposit bag and walked around the meat case and to the door. He put up a handwritted sign that said; I will be back in 15 minutes -ED We walked out together and I heard the bells jangle as the door slammed shut and Grandpa turned the key in the lock.
I looked up at the steeple of the church across the street and the village green when someone in front of the fire department said; "Hi Ed, what looks good today? Got any nice roasts?" Grandpa said; "Not today,got some nice pork chops though".
I stroll along and look up at the church which is now the Kirkland Art Center, just like I had done many years ago walking with Grandpa and Dad. I was glad that not a lot had changed here in the Village of Clinton. The businesses are different now, and many buildings are different colors including the church. Unlike much of the Mohawk Valley area, Clinton has retained much of the character and charm it has had for the last hundred years. As I walk past the fire department and the building where Ed's Meat Market used to be, I hear Grandpa's gentle voice. Grandpa says; "I'm saving some hot dogs for us tonite!".
Grandpa was standing behind the counter wearing his white apron and white paper hat, chatting with an elderly lady customer when we opened the door to his butcher shop. The door had bells tingled as we walked in, and then had a loud jangle as the door slammed shut. The pungent aroma of ground meat and spices was in the air. Grandpa was making sausages or hot dogs today, which meant we could be enjoying them when we visited for dinner tonite. Grandpa always brought home whatever was freshly made that day, or whatever did not sell. I hoped that it would be the hot dogs.
Grandpa looked over at us and smiled. Dad walked over to one of the chairs and sat down. I looked in the meat case and looked at the different meats Grandpa had displayed in the case. There were some sausage links and some assorted beef and chicken meat on display. Also there were customer orders wrapped in white paper which had names of customers on them. The elderly lady finished paying Grandpa for the order. Grandpa took the ladies money and placed the money in the old wooden cash register and Grandpa said to the lady; "thank-you and say hello to Jim for me".
Grandpa said; "hello Donnie, hello Pat", and asked us if we would like to walk with him to the bank and then maybe we could go and get some fresh apple cider at the cider mill. Grandpa took his white apron and paper hat off, grabbed his deposit bag and walked around the meat case and to the door. He put up a handwritted sign that said; I will be back in 15 minutes -ED We walked out together and I heard the bells jangle as the door slammed shut and Grandpa turned the key in the lock.
I looked up at the steeple of the church across the street and the village green when someone in front of the fire department said; "Hi Ed, what looks good today? Got any nice roasts?" Grandpa said; "Not today,got some nice pork chops though".
I stroll along and look up at the church which is now the Kirkland Art Center, just like I had done many years ago walking with Grandpa and Dad. I was glad that not a lot had changed here in the Village of Clinton. The businesses are different now, and many buildings are different colors including the church. Unlike much of the Mohawk Valley area, Clinton has retained much of the character and charm it has had for the last hundred years. As I walk past the fire department and the building where Ed's Meat Market used to be, I hear Grandpa's gentle voice. Grandpa says; "I'm saving some hot dogs for us tonite!".
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Reflections In Downtown Utica
I was walking back to my car after a less than satisfying lunch at an oriental restaurant. The taste of cheap Bancha tea still in my taste buds. When the dark reflection in the dark store window a few doors down caught me by surprise. The reflection looked like a stranger. Someone else, not me. Someone who was much older than me. I looked once, then twice, and even a third time, ultimately confirming the "older" man was not someone hiding behind me it was me. I glanced back at the dark abyss one last time, and then headed towards my car parked just past the gold-domed bank.
I looked around as I started up my car. I looked around and thought that this was an older and different Utica than the one I remembered seeing for the first time in
1972. Much has changed. No more vibrancy or bustling activity as shoppers came and went from the Boston Store, Woolworths or Neisners. I drive past the "busy corner" where the buildings which housed Ball's and Mellos and several other thriving businesses, was torn down and replaced with an empty park and a curious liberty bell replica. A fading sunrise is painted and peeling on the adjoining brick building.
Next door the architecturally and historically important entrance to downtown Utica; the Devereaux Bldg was torn down and replaced with another small park.
Uticans decided that it was important to give up their past and to look ahead to a bright "new" future. The past was the past. Heritage and history had become a chapter in the history books for our children to learn about in school, and for old people to reminisce about as they sit around the senior centers or historical society meetings. Utica and it's suburbs are pockmarked with attempts to hide and disguise the past. Old was ugly, so we tore down the old city hall designed by famous architect Francis Upjohn and build a "beautiful new" Sheraton. Main Street and Utica was hacked into quarters and left isolated and devoid of character as a massive bridge was built on Genesee Street. Baggs Tavern and the Children's Museum sit in the shadow of this attempt to cover up and to start anew because of the "old" was bad, new is good syndrome. Beautiful old churches deteriorate and decay. Old Main sits vacant, and the buildings and neighborhoods around her are weathered by neglect... more to come
I looked around as I started up my car. I looked around and thought that this was an older and different Utica than the one I remembered seeing for the first time in
1972. Much has changed. No more vibrancy or bustling activity as shoppers came and went from the Boston Store, Woolworths or Neisners. I drive past the "busy corner" where the buildings which housed Ball's and Mellos and several other thriving businesses, was torn down and replaced with an empty park and a curious liberty bell replica. A fading sunrise is painted and peeling on the adjoining brick building.
Next door the architecturally and historically important entrance to downtown Utica; the Devereaux Bldg was torn down and replaced with another small park.
Uticans decided that it was important to give up their past and to look ahead to a bright "new" future. The past was the past. Heritage and history had become a chapter in the history books for our children to learn about in school, and for old people to reminisce about as they sit around the senior centers or historical society meetings. Utica and it's suburbs are pockmarked with attempts to hide and disguise the past. Old was ugly, so we tore down the old city hall designed by famous architect Francis Upjohn and build a "beautiful new" Sheraton. Main Street and Utica was hacked into quarters and left isolated and devoid of character as a massive bridge was built on Genesee Street. Baggs Tavern and the Children's Museum sit in the shadow of this attempt to cover up and to start anew because of the "old" was bad, new is good syndrome. Beautiful old churches deteriorate and decay. Old Main sits vacant, and the buildings and neighborhoods around her are weathered by neglect... more to come
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Saranac - Matt Brewing Company - Time flies..when you're enjoying your favorite beer!
After running 25 Boilermakers I still have to say this is my favorite part even at
9:30 AM!!! Cheers! click below...
Saranac - Matt Brewing Company - Time flies..when you're enjoying your favorite beer!
Wednesday, July 07, 2010
Utica on A Hot Summer Evening
Went to the sidewalk artshow at Munson WIlliams last night and it was a great evening
to walk around and take some images of downtown since there were very people and not much traffic...
to walk around and take some images of downtown since there were very people and not much traffic...
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
The Universal Language of Soccer...
My colorful U12 team includes: 2 Somali-Bantus, 1 Thai, 7 Bosnians and 5 home-grown Utica boys. Oh yeh, I was born in Japan (the Japanese are said to be the earliest players of soccer know as "Kemari" in Japan)
I coach youth soccer in Utica, and I can also be found playing pick up soccer with "the boys" at Proctor or at the field on Middle Settlement Rd., when I can find the time and the energy.
Whether I am coaching or playing, whether the players are homegrown Americans or recent refugees from Bosnia, Somalia, Thailand or Burma, there is one thing in common we all have; a pure love and joy for the sport of football-soccer. Ask any of these players about the outcome of recent World Cup matches, and they'll know not only the score, but most details of the game as well. This love of sport transcends our language barriers as I will often be approached at Proctor Park by Burmese boys who want to share a soccer field with them, or have Somali-Bantu boys wanting to "spar" with me and my soccer ball. They will play until there is no one left to play with, and only go home when there is no more light on the field.
When my teams practice they want to practice and scrimmage with our teams and when we have games they often come to watch. As a soccer purist, it is a delight for me to see the amount of activity there is on any given night at Proctor and South Parks in Utica. Refugee families are often out on weekends or evenings with their players, sharing in their favorite past-time. They enjoy the comraderie, the fun, and the beauty of being outdoors in the park on a beautiful summer day or evening.
You don't have to understand or love soccer to appreciate all that soccer does to help bridge people from all over the world and especially here in Utica. Some lovely summer evening head down to Proctor Park and catch a game under the lights, look around and listen, and experience soccer like millions of people around the world do every day.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Is Rt 840 Destroying A Sensitive Wildlife Area?
The heavy usage by hundreds of residents daily, is a testament to the success of the DOT's Rt 840's recreational trail system. It affords the opportunity for many who normally would not have the opportunity, to get close to nature and all if affords.
It is not unusual to have families of geese or ducks resting in the grass with joggers or walkers passing closely by. Turtles often cross the walkways as they leave the marshes to find nesting sites, and deer often can be seen at waters edge at dawn or dusk.
Unfortutely, the irony is that many of these same animals that seek tranquility and safety, soon meet their demise as they cross or fly-over Rt 840. The 840 roadway was built right next to a section of treeless and exposed trails, and is only a 100 feet or so, from the edges of the marshes where you can often see ducks and geese swimming or resting in the grassy areas next to the road. These same animals find that the tranquility and peace they seek in this formerly secluded marsh, are threatened in much the same way the animals that once occupied the marshes between Sangertown and Commercial Drive were. Although the DEC tried to maintain duck nesting sites and to encourage certain species of wildlife at Sangertown, most have moved on or were hit by cars, as they tried to fly in to the marsh areas. And the same thing happens every week along 840. Next to the marsh area, hundreds of small birds, ducks, geese, turtles, fox, woodchucks and occassionally deer are run over as they attempt to cross or fly over to enter or leave the marsh area.
It leaves many to wonder why the DEC and it's planners would open up and expose a wildlife area like this, and put thousands of animals at risk without making some provision for this. Perhaps the best solution now might be to build a wall like the one that they put up in NY Mills to help discourage the wildlife from entering or leaving from the roadway area of Rt 840. Also, an added benefit would be that it would help buffer recreational users of the trail from annoying road noise and distraction.
This is especially important with new construction (New Hartford school bus depot, hotel, office bldgs) being proposed on both sides of 840. Wildlife should not be "squeezed" into ever narrowing areas of green areas set aside for them. Especially in a period when the area is not growing, but is diminishing in size. And we certainly cannot afford to subsidize careless and poorly planned suburban sprawl that is destroying not only pristine wildlife areas, but the character of the community. Just like at Sangertown Square, we will soon see fewer and fewer creatures along the 840 corridor, only more cars, paved lots, and resultant noise and pollution. Things which will only diminish the quality of life that we love here in the Mohawk Valley.
It is not unusual to have families of geese or ducks resting in the grass with joggers or walkers passing closely by. Turtles often cross the walkways as they leave the marshes to find nesting sites, and deer often can be seen at waters edge at dawn or dusk.
Unfortutely, the irony is that many of these same animals that seek tranquility and safety, soon meet their demise as they cross or fly-over Rt 840. The 840 roadway was built right next to a section of treeless and exposed trails, and is only a 100 feet or so, from the edges of the marshes where you can often see ducks and geese swimming or resting in the grassy areas next to the road. These same animals find that the tranquility and peace they seek in this formerly secluded marsh, are threatened in much the same way the animals that once occupied the marshes between Sangertown and Commercial Drive were. Although the DEC tried to maintain duck nesting sites and to encourage certain species of wildlife at Sangertown, most have moved on or were hit by cars, as they tried to fly in to the marsh areas. And the same thing happens every week along 840. Next to the marsh area, hundreds of small birds, ducks, geese, turtles, fox, woodchucks and occassionally deer are run over as they attempt to cross or fly over to enter or leave the marsh area.
It leaves many to wonder why the DEC and it's planners would open up and expose a wildlife area like this, and put thousands of animals at risk without making some provision for this. Perhaps the best solution now might be to build a wall like the one that they put up in NY Mills to help discourage the wildlife from entering or leaving from the roadway area of Rt 840. Also, an added benefit would be that it would help buffer recreational users of the trail from annoying road noise and distraction.
This is especially important with new construction (New Hartford school bus depot, hotel, office bldgs) being proposed on both sides of 840. Wildlife should not be "squeezed" into ever narrowing areas of green areas set aside for them. Especially in a period when the area is not growing, but is diminishing in size. And we certainly cannot afford to subsidize careless and poorly planned suburban sprawl that is destroying not only pristine wildlife areas, but the character of the community. Just like at Sangertown Square, we will soon see fewer and fewer creatures along the 840 corridor, only more cars, paved lots, and resultant noise and pollution. Things which will only diminish the quality of life that we love here in the Mohawk Valley.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Cultural Diversity In the Mohawk Valley
One of the "good" things to happen in the MV is the addition of the ethnically diverse immigrants to arrive here in the last 20 years. I coach soccer and whenever I am at Proctor Park in Utica, there will be dozens of Somali, Sudanese, Burmese, Thai, Bosnian etc. boys and young men looking to play some pick-up soccer. Drive around Utica and you will see many restaurants and shops that reflect this cultural influx. I love to stop in to restaurants like the Pho Mekong Noodle House, the Balkan or the Lotus Garden, and talk to the shop owners, and to try some of their favorite "picks".
Above a couple of soccer players from Proctor Park
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